Comments on: The Struggling Student (Me)

By: Laurie Wasserman

Laurie Wasserman — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:45:13 +0000

Cynthia,
Thank-you so very much for your honesty and heartfelt comments. When our new schools were first built 11 years ago, I went out and bought a computer identical to the one I would be using in my classroom for home use. I didn’t even know how to write or send an e-mail.My students taught me so much and were incredibly patient with me. I felt like the kid who learns how to drive a car and wants her parents to buy the car she’s learning on through driver ed. Thank-you so much for reading our blog and sharing your thoughts.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:00:39 +0000

I had a visceral reaction to this article. I could feel your pain. As a special education teacher, it is easy to relate to the scenario you paint. My career has not provided the opportunities to “embrace” the technology of today. Being unfamiliar with the tools as well as the content of a course creates the perfect horror story. I, too, could only have ended up in such a class by accident. Imagine what those kids who struggle every day feel like; it ‘s no wonder they find different ways to check out.

By: Laurie Wasserman

Laurie Wasserman — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:35:21 +0000

Eva,
Thank-you so much for your comments; social intelligence is so important for kids. It provides an opportunity for them to learn and develop empathy as well, a priceless lesson they will use for the rest of their lives. I would love to hear more about how you use peer tutoring with your students.

By: Eva

Eva — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:10:05 +0000

Teaching is the highest form of learning. If you allow your students to teach as a way of learning you have created an environment that supports learning as a self sustaining model. . Following the class wide peer tutoring model builds more skills than just academics. It develops social intelligence, therefor, changing academics will also change the challenging behaviors in your classroom as well.